HCL Awards 2012: Nursing Advocate, Dr. Anne McNamara

Nursing Advocate

Dr. Anne McNamara

Grand Canyon University

Dr. Anne McNamara is dean and professor in the College of Nursing at Grand Canyon University. She is the department head for 57 faculty and staff members and is responsible for oversight of six Arizona sites, as well as GCU’s nursing program in New Mexico. There are more than 700 traditional pre-licensure BSN students, 2,700 RN-BSN students, and 1,330 MSN students currently enrolled in GCU’s nursing programs.

Under McNamara’s leadership, GCU’s College of Nursing graduates have been actively recruited by Arizona’s leading healthcare providers. Hospitals and physicians’ offices value the direct and immediate applicability of GCU’s College of Nursing’s core curriculum. McNamara encourages students to examine what they’ve learned, determine its relevance, and see how the knowledge can be incorporated into their role as a nurse. As a result of her efforts, GCU recently opened a state-of-the-art simulation lab that provides students with hands-on experience, which is highly valued by employers and has proven to decrease the occurrence of medical errors.

Outside of her role as an educator, McNamara and her students, faculty and staff contribute hundreds of volunteer hours to the community each year through GCU’s Canyon Cares Initiative.

Finalist

Vicki Doctor

Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Beginning a career in oncology 15 years ago, Doctor now serves as the Survivorship Support Care Manager for the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Her responsibilities include informing patients of potential treatments and creating wellness plans that are tailored to patients’ specific needs. Doctor’s experience and dedication to oncology led to her selection as the CTCA’s first clinic manager, and in 2011 she became the care manager. Doctor also participates in several cancer awareness groups and events, such as American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Gateway for Cancer Research, and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Finalist

Beth Rumac

St. Joseph’s and Phoenix Children’s Hospital

Rumack works as CHIEF (Congenital Heart Infant Evaluation and Follow-up) program administrator as a pediatric cardiologist nurse practitioner. She contributes to a 24-hour help hotline, at times being the only nurse available. While devoting long hours to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Rumack developed a combined assistance program for children with congenital heart defects (CHD). This idea will bring together CHD networks to aid families of children with heart defects. In addition to daily labors at the hospital, Rumack spends her time working with several non-profit organizations designed to research, raise funds for research, and assist children with CHDs.

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